Former USA Gymnastics president refuses to answer questions about handling of Larry Nassar abuse case

The former president of USA Gymnastics has refused to answer questions from a Senate subcommittee about his handling of allegations of sexual abuse by former team doctor Larry Nassar.

Steve Penny invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination six times before he was excused by the panel on Tuesday. As he slowly limped out of the hearing room, former gymnast Amy Compton shouted “Shame!” in his direction. Compton was one of Nassar’s victims.

Penny was subpoenaed to appear before the committee. Senators asked him when he found out about the abuse allegations and why he waited to inform law enforcement or Nassar’s employer, Michigan State University.

Penny was told of an athlete’s allegation against Nassar in June 2015. Nassar was not arrested until more than a year later.

Penny has been named as a defendant in a number of lawsuits by athletes who were victimized by Nassar. His attorney, Robert Bittman, cited “matters that attempt to wrongly shift blame for Nassar’s crimes” in explaining why his client did not testify.

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Steve Penny, former president of USA Gymnastics invokes his 5th amendment right to not answer questions during the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee in Washington, D.C. REUTERS/ Leah Millis